Director, department of Higher Education, Dr. Katoni Jakhalu on Thursday said as long as there was dialogue and exchange of ideas, the education sector of the state would progress with the rest of India.
According to a DIPR report, Dr. Katoni was speaking at the inaugural programme of national seminar on Social Transformation in India 2.0 and National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 at Nagaland University, Kohima Campus, Meriema.
Addressing the gathering, said whether people were ready or not, they were at the threshold of tremendous changes, especially in the education sector.
Speaking on the state’s higher education, she informed that a Task Force was constituted to make a recommendation for implementation of the policy.
In order to create awareness, Dr. Katoni said seminars and workshops were conducted online and offline and attempts were made to spread awareness about guidelines of NEP 2020 in local Naga dialects and so far, only Tenyidie had completed the translated version.
With regard to key areas and agenda on equity in NEP 2020, Dr. Katoni pointed out that the state was well balanced in gender parity and in higher education, female student enrollment for the last two years was more than their male counterpart.
She informed that so far, out of 69 affiliated colleges under NU, 40% were NAAC accredited and the state’s policy was to establish at least one government college in each district with subsidised tuition fees, proper facilities, smart classrooms and digitalised libraries to ensure that no one is left out in digital learning and technology.
Delivering the keynote speech, member, NEP Committee and vice-chancellor, Mahatma Gandhi University of Horticulture and Forestry, Chhattisgarh, prof. Ram Shankar Kureel highlighted the vision of NEP 2020 which he said was to establish an education system that contributed to an equitable and vibrant knowledge society by providing high-quality education to all, developing a sense of respect towards fundamental rights, duties, etc.
Prof. Kureel also briefed on the key principles of NEP 2020.
Meanwhile, pro vice-chancellor, NU, Prof. A. K. Mishra said for the social transformation of the country, equal opportunities need to be provided for which education was fundamental.
Later, dean, School of Humanities & Education, NU, Prof. Buno Zetsuvi said NEP 2020 envisaged a great social change by transforming the educational system, however, she expressed her concern that India being a diverse country would not be possible to bring one whole relevant, perfect, acceptable policy suitable for the entire country.
She further stated that flexibility and adjustments without disrupting the main aim of the policy were required.
The two-day seminar is sponsored by the Indian Council of Social Science Research and organised by the Department of Teacher Education (DTE), Nagaland University, Kohima Campus, Meriema.
Education will progress as long as thereis exchange of ideas: DHE director
